STATE OF NEW MEXICO EXECUTIVE OFFICE SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

WHEREAS, NEW MEXICO ENACTED THE WHITE CANE LAW IN 1967, BECOMING THE

FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO ADOPT THE MODEL WHITE CANE LAW, AND 2017 MARKS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADOPTION OF THE WHITE CANE LAW; AND

WHEREAS, THE MODEL WHITE CANE LAW WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN BY DR.

JACOBUS TENBROEK, A DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR OF LAW, AND THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND; AND

WHEREAS, THE WHITE CANE LAW, 28-7-1 NMSA (1978), DECLARES THAT IT IS THE POLICY OF THE STATE TO ENCOURAGE AND ENABLE PERSONS WHO ARE BLIND, VISUALLY IMPAIRED, OR WHO HAVE OTHER PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LIFE OF THE STATE, AND TO ENGAGE IN REMUNERATIVE EMPLOYMENT; AND

WHEREAS, THE WHITE CANE LAW GIVES PERSONS WHO ARE BLIND, VISUALLY IMPAIRED, OR WHO HAVE OTHER PHYSICAL DISABILITIES THE SAME RIGHTS AS ALL CITIZENS TO THE FULL AND FREE USE OF THE STREETS, HIGHWAYS, SIDEWALKS, WALKWAYS, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC FACILITIES AND OTHER PUBLIC PLACES; AND

WHEREAS, THE WHITE CANE LAW GIVES PERSONS WHO ARE BLIND, VISUALLY IMPAIRED, OR WHO HAVE OTHER PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, FULL AND EQUAL ACCOMMODATIONS, ADVANTAGES, FACILITIES, AND PRIVILEGES OF ALL COMMON CARRIERS, AIRPLANES, MOTOR VEHICLES, RAILROAD TRAINS, MOTOR BUSES, STREETCARS, BOATS, ANY OTHER PUBLIC CONVEYANCES OR MODES OF TRANSPORTATION, HOTELS, LODGING PLACES, PLACES OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION, AMUSEMENT OR RESORT, AND ANY OTHER PLACES TO WHICH THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS INVITED; AND

WHEREAS, THE WHITE CANE LAW REQUIRES THAT DRIVERS SHALL TAKE ALL

NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID INJURY TO PEDESTRIANS WHO ARE USING A WHITE CANE OR A GUIDE DOG;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, SUSANA MARTINEZ, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER 15th, 2017, AS

"WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY"

THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, AND I ENCOURAGE THE CITIZENS OF NEW MEXICO TO BE AWARE OF THE WHITE CANE LAW; TO BE AWARE THAT PERSONS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED USE THE WHITE CANE TO TRAVEL ON PUBLIC STREETS, ROADS, AND AT PLACES OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION; TO BE AWARE THAT PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES HAVE MUCH TO OFFER AND THAT THEIR ENERGY, CREATIVITY, AND HARD WORK GREATLY STRENGTHENS OUR STATE AND OUR ECONOMY; AND TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE WHITE CANE IS AN INSTRUMENT OF SAFETY AND INDEPENDENCE FOR PERSONS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED.

SIGNED AT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE
THIS 12TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2017.
WITNESS MY HAND AND THE GREAT / ATTEST:
MAGGIE TOULOUSE OLIVER

SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.SECRETARY OF STATE

SUSANA MARTINEZ GOVERNOR